Louver assembly



May 24, 1966 R. c. FIRST 3,252,398

LOUVER ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //2 [ll /20 r55 r29 r28 INVENTOR. RICHARD C. F/RsT R. C. FIRST LOUVER ASSEMBLY May 24, 1966 Filed Jan. 6, 1964 FIG. 7

United States Patent 3,252,398 LOUVER ASSEMBLY I Richard C. First, Richmond Heights, Ohio, assignor to Eaton Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed .l'an. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 335,899 7 (Ilaims. (Cl. 98--40) The present invention relates to a louver assembly for directing fluid flow in a desired direction, and particularly to an adjustable louver assembly for use in association with an air conditioner for controlling the direction of air flow from the air conditioner.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved louver assembly which is simple in construction, readily adjustable, durable, and capable of bidirectional flow adjustment and control.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved louver assembly which is capable of adjustment for controlling lateral flow as well as vertical flow, and wherein adjustment of the lateral and vertical flow may be accomplished independently so that for any given lateral direction of flow, vertical adjustment thereof is possible.

A further, and more specific object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved louver assembly having a fiow directing louver means adjustable for directing fluid flow in different directions in a first plane and means providing for movement of the louver means in a direction transverse to the first plane, whereby fluid flow may be directed in one of numerous different directions, depending upon the position of the flow directing louver means.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a flow directing louver means for directing fluid flow in one direction, and wherein the louver means is mounted in a support which is pivotal to control fluid flow in a direction transverse to the one direction.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved louver assembly mounted in an output opening of an air conditioner casing for directing the flow of air therefrom and including a louver housing movably supported in the air conditioner casing and louver means carried by the louver housing and movable with the louver housing relative to the air conditioner casing and adjustable relative to the louver housing to control the direction of air flow from the air conditioner.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved louver assembly wherein a louver housing carries air directing elliptical shaped members and wherein the elliptical members are mounted up- 3,252,398 Patented May 24, 1966 "ice Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken approximately along the section line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a unit used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on the section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 with parts thereof in section;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the position of certain parts changed;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 looking at the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 from the right;

FIG. 8 is a schematic transverse sectional view illustrating the apparatus in one operative position; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrating the apparatus in another operative position.

The present invention provides an adjustable louver assembly for directing fluid flow selectively in different on a shaft rotatable relative to the louver housing so that the position of the elliptical members may be changed upon rotation of the shaft to effect a change in the direction of air flow, and wherein the louver housing is supported for pivotal movement in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of the shaft member.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved louver assembly having a directions. The louver assembly primarily is used in directing air flow in a desired direction from a source of air, and in particular is used in association with an automobile air conditioner for directing the air output thereof in the direction desired by the occupants of the auto mobile. It will be apparent from the description hereinbelow that the louver assembly may be used in association with various different fluid sources for directing the fluid output thereof in a desired direction.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a louver assembly 10. The louver assembly 10 is supported in a casing 11, which in the preferred embodiment, is the casing of an automobile air conditioner unit. Specifically, the louver assembly 10 is positioned in an air outlet opening 12; in the casing 11 of the air conditioner unit and is located directly in the air outlet stream of the air conditioner. The specific details of the air conditioner form no part of the present invention and will not be described.

The louver assembly 10 is constructed and supported in the casing 11 so as to be adjustable to direct the air output in a desired direction. As will be apparent from the description hereinbelow, the louver assembly 10 provides a bi-directional air flow control in that the louver assembly is adjustable to direct air flow in different lateral directions as well as different vertical directions. Moreover, the lateral and vertical adjustments may be made independently and may, or may not be, simultaneously effected, and in this manner the air output may be directed from the opening 12 in any of a multitude of different directions.

According to the present invention, the louver assembly 10 comprises a louver housing 20 and a louver unit 21 supported by the louver housing. The louver housing 20 comprises a box-like structure open at opposite ends. The louver housing 20 includes upper and lower frame members, 25, 26, respectively, which extend substantially parallel, and which extend parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the outlet opening 12 in the air conditioner casing 11. The louver housing also includes vertically extending frame members 27, 28 which extend substantially parallel and connect the upper and lower frame members, 25, 26. A third vertically extending frame member 29 interconnects the upper and lower frame members 25, 26, respectively, and is positioned adjacent to the frame member 28 and is spaced therefrom a small distance defining a compartment 30 therebetween, the purpose of which will be described hereinbelow.

The louver housing 20 is pivotally supported for movement about a horizontal axis relative to the opening 12 in the air conditioner casing 11. To this end, the frame members 27, 28 include oppositely projecting lug or stub shaft portions 35, 36. The stub shaft portions 35, 36 are pivotally supported in openings in spring members 40, 41, respectively. The spring members 40, 41 are secured by suitable screw elements 42, 43 to a portion of the casing .11 of the air conditioner unit. The spring members 40, 41 are of the leaf spring type and include spring portions which bear against the opposite sides of the frame members 27, 28 and frictionally clamp the housing 20 therebetween. In this manner, the springs 40, 41 function as a means to hold the casing 20 in the position to which it is pivoted about the axis of the pivot or stub shaft portions 35, 36. The frictional engagement of the springs 40, 41 with the housing 20, WhlkZ SUlfiClBIIlZ to hold the housing in position, can be overcome by merely manually engaging the casing 20 and pushing it so as to cause it to pivot about the axis of the stub shafts 35, 36. In this manner, the casing may be moved relative to the housing so as to effect adjustment of the disposition of the casing in the housing 20 and adjustment of the direction in which the casing faces.

The air conditioner casing 11 may be provided with suitable stop means to engage the louver casing 20 and limit movement thereof about the horizontal axis of shaft portions 35, 36. The stop means preferably comprises projecting stop members 45, 46 which extend outwardly from frame member 27 and engage portions of the air conditioner casing 11 upon rotation of the louver housing about stub shaft portions 35, 36 and thereby define the upper and lower positions of the louver casing 20. The lower extreme position of the louver casing 20 relative to the air conditioner casing 11 is defined by the stop member 46 as shown in FIG. 9 where the stopmember 46 is shown engaging a portion of the air conditioner casing 11 adjacent the opening 12, and the upper extreme position is shown in FIG. 8 where the stop member 45 is shown engaging a portion of the casing 11 adjacent the opening 12.

When the louver casing 20 is in the position shown in FIG. 8, the air is directed from the air conditioner and strikes the louver unit 21 and is directed vertically because of the vertical disposition of the casing 20. As shown in FIG. 9, the casing 20 is in its lower extreme position for directing air downwardly. In this position, the air flowing from the air conditioner engages the louver unit 21 and is directed downwardly due to the disposition of the louver casing 20 as illustrated.

The casing 20 of the louver assembly supports the louver unit 21 as stated hereinabove. The louver unit 21 comprises a louver means comprising a plurality of elliptical shaped louver members 49 for directing air flow and adjusting means for varying the disposition of the louver members 49 to vary the direction in which they direct the flow. The adjusting means includes a shaft member 50 which extends substantially horizontally and parallel to the frame members 25, 26 and is rotatable relative to the casing as will be described hereinbelow. The shaft member 50 is located substantially centrally between the frame members 25, 26 and is supported by the side frame members 27, 28, respectively. The frame member 29 of the louver housing 20 is suitably recessed at 51 as shown in FIG. 7 so as not to interfere with the shaft member 59.

The shaft member 50 carries the plurality of elliptical shaped louver members 49 fixedly secured to the shaft member at spaced axial locations along the shaft, and which are rotatable with the shaft upon rotation of the shaft. The louver members 49 are inclined to the shaft 50 and direct air from the air conditioner in the desired direction in one plane. As is well known to those skilled in the art, upon rotation of the elliptical elements 49, the disposition of the elliptical elements is changed and the elliptical elements are thereby adjusted to vary the direction in the one plane in which they direct the air flow. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elliptical elements are in a position wherein they direct air flow in a direction to the extreme left in a horizontal plane. The arrows shown in FIG. 2 illustrate the direction of air flow as directed by the louver elements 49 when in this position.

'Upon rotation of the shaft member 50 and the louver elements to the position shown in FIG. 6, air flow is directed straight ahead by the elliptical members 49. Upon further rotation of the shaft member 50 in the same direction, the elliptical elements are disposed in a position for directing air in a direction to the extreme right.

Thus, it can be seen that the louver unit 21, upon rotation relative to the casing 20, functions to dispose the louver members 49 so as to direct air in different directions in a substantially horizontal plane. Moreover, it should be apparent that upon pivoting of the casing 20 about the stub shaft portions 35, 36, as described hereinabove, the louver members 49 are moved in a direction transverse to the plane in which the louver members direct the air flow, thereby providing for an infinite variety of directions in which the air flow may be directed by the louver assembly 10. Furthermore, it is apparent that the adjustment of the elliptical elements by rotation thereof with the shaft member 50 is independent of movement of the louver casing 20 and these adjustments can be effected independently.

As stated hereinabove, the louver unit 21 is supported for rotational movement relative to the louver casing 20. The shaft member 50 is provided at one end, namely, its right end, as shown in the drawings, with an axially extending passageway 60. The shaft member 50 is slightly tapered'with its greatest cross sectional dimension adjacent its right end to accommodate the passageway 60. A spring member 61 is positioned in the passageway, and a pin member 62 is slidably received in the passageway 60 and engages the spring member 61. The spring 61 biases the pin 62 axially of the shaft member 50 and into an opening in the frame member 28. The pin member 62 is provided with a shoulder portion 64 which engages the inner side of the frame member 28 and prevents outward movement of the pin after it engages the frame member 28. The left end of the shaft member 50, as viewed in the drawings, is provided with a support portion 65 formed integrally therewith and rotatably received in an opening in the side frame member 26.

In order to assemble the louver unit 21 in the casing 20, the pin member 62 is moved against the bias of the spring 61 and the support portion 65 is inserted in its corresponding opening, and the louver unit is inserted into the rear portion of the casing 20, and upon insertion and alignment of the pin 62 with the opening in the side frame member 28 which supports the pin, the pin is forced outwardly by the spring 61 and snapped into place. Thus, the pin 62 functions to rotatably support the right end portion of the shaft 50 while the left end portion of the shaft 50 is supported in the side frame member 27 by the support portion 65.

The shaft member 50, as stated hereinabove, is rotatable relative to the louver casing 20 and suitable means is provided for effecting rotation thereof. Accordingly, the shaft member 50 carries a suitable wheel member which is located in the above described chamber 30 and extends slightly forwardly thereof so as to be readily manually engaged by the operator. Upon rotation of the wheel member 70, the shaft member 50 rotates relative to the pin member 62 and casing 20 to effect a change in the disposition of the louver members 49.

Preferably, the casing 20 is provided with a plurality of horizontally extending vanes 72 which function to assist in directing the flow of air emanating from the louver assembly. The vane members72 are connected at one end to the side frame member 27 and at their other end to the frame member 29. Suitable supports are provided for interconnecting the vane members 72 and providing a rigid vane structure on the forward face of the louver housing 20.

From the above description, it should be readily apparent that the louver assembly is capable of bidirectional fiow control, and provides an infinite number of different directions in which the output air may be directed t-hereby. It can be readily seen that for any position of the louver elements 49, the louver housing may be pivoted, and the direction of air fiow is dependent upon the position of the louver elements 49 relative to the louver casing 20 and the positionof the louver casing 20 relative to the air conditioner casing 11. Moreover, the air may be directed laterally in different directions as desired by the operator or may be directed in different vertical direct-ions. Moreover, since the vertical and horizontal adjustments of the louver assembly may be made independently of each other, the air flow may be adjusted to an infiite number of positions which are the result of the vertical and lateral adjustments.

While the above description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been made in considerable detail, certain modifications, adaptations and changes may be made therein by those skilled in the art to which it relates, and it is intended hereby to cover all modifications, adaptations and changes falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A louver assembly for directing an air stream in a desired direction comprising a louver casing open at opposite ends and located in said air stream to receive the air stream through one of said open ends and direct the air stream from the other open end, a louver unit carried by said louver casing, said louver unit including a plurality of elliptical shaped louver members for directing the air stream through the louver casing, means supporting said louver members for rotary movement relative to said louver casing to adjust the disposition of said louver members relative to said casing and vary the direction in which said louver members direct air therefrom, means supporting said louver casing for pivotal movement relative to said air stream to permit said casing to be selectively positioned to vary the direction in which said casing directs air, and means for retaining said casing in the position to which it is moved relative to said supporting means.

2, A louver assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for retaining said louver casing in a position to which it is moved relative to said support portions comprises spring means which engage the side portions of the louver casing and frictionally hold the louver casing in the position to which it is moved.

3. A louver assembly comprising a louver casing and a louver unit supported by said louver casing, said louver unit comprising a shaft member supported by said casing for rotation about a first axis, a plurality of louver members carriedby said shaft member and for directing air flow, said louver members being inclined to said shaft member and having an elliptical shape and adjustable to vary the direction of air flow therefrom upon rotation of said shaft member, said louver casing including support portions on opposite sides thereof and spaced from the axis of said shaft member, said support portions comprising stub shaft portions forming a part of said louver casing and extending therefrom, means supporting said support portions for rotation whereby said louver unit and said louver casing are rotatable about the axis of said support portions, and means for retaining said louver casing in the position to which it is rotated about the axis of said support portions.

4. A louver assembly comprising a louver casing and a louver unit supported by said louver casing, said louver unit comprising a shaft member carrying a plurality of louver elements for directing air flow, and adjustable upon rotation to vary the direction of air flow, said shaft member having an axially extending passageway in one end portion thereof, spring means located in said passageway, a pin member slidably received in said passageway and biased by said spring means outwardly thereof, and means providing an opening in said louver casing for receiving said pin member and thereby supporting said shaft member. I

5. A louver assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said pin member includes a shoulder portion engageable with said louver casing to limit movement thereof by said spring means.

6. A louver assembly for directing an air stream from an air conditioner and mounted in an air outlet opening in the casing of the air conditioner comprising a louver casing opened at its opposite ends and located in said air stream to receive the air stream through one of said open ends and direct the air stream from the other open end, said louver casing including support shaft portions extending from opposite sides thereof, spring means connected to said air conditioner casing and resiliently supporting said support shaft portions for rotation whereby said louver casing is rotatable about the axis of said support shaft portions relative to said air conditioner casing, said spring means including portions engageable with opposite portions of said louver casing for retaining said louver casing in the position to which it is rotated about said support shaft portions, a louver unit supported by said louver casing and comprising a shaft member supported by said casing for rotation about its own axis, and a plurality of elliptical shaped louver members carried by said shaft member and extending at an angle thereto, said louver members being adjustable to vary the direction of air flow from said louver casing upon rotation of said shaft member, and a wheel member secured to said shaft member and manually engageable to rotate said shaft member to adjust said louver members to vary the direction of air flow from said louver casing.

7. A louver assembly comprising a louver casing and a louver unit supported by said louver casing, said louver unit comprising a shaft member supported by said casing for rotation about a first axis, said shaft member including an axial passageway at one end thereof and being supported at one end by a pin slidably received in said passageway and biased outwardly therefrom into engagement with an opening in said casing, a plurality of louver members carried by said shaft member and for directing air flow, said louver members being inclined to said shaft member and having an elliptical shape and adjustable to vary the direction of air flow therefrom upon rotation of said shaft member, said louver casing including support portions on opposite sides thereof and spaced from the axis of said shaft member, means supporting said support portions for rotation whereby said louver unit and said louver casing are rotatable about the axis of 'said support portions, and means for retaining said louver casing in the position to which it is rotated about the axis of said support portions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,786,407 3/1957 Sorles 9840 2,853,935 9/1958 Crowle 98----40 2,864,301 12/1958 Katz 9840 2,928,333 3/1960 Madison 98-40 3,035,422 5/1962 Halbeisln 9894 3,076,402 2/1963 Stevens 9840 WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

JOHN F. OCONNOR, Examiner, 

1. A LOUVER ASSEMBLY FOR DIRECTING AN AIR STREAM IN A DESIRED DIRECTION COMPRISING A LOUVER CASING OPEN AT OPPOSITE ENDS AND LOCATED IN SAID AIR STREAM TO RECEIVE THE AIR STREAM THROUGH ONE OF SAID OPEN ENDS AND DIRECT THE AIR STREAM FROM THE OTHER OPEN END, A LOUVER UNIT CARRIED BY SAID LOUVER CASING, SAID LOUVER UNIT INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ELLIPTICAL SHAPED LOUVER MEMBERS FOR DIRECTING THE AIR STREAM THROUGH THE LOUVER CASING, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID LOUVER MEMBERS FOR ROTARY MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID LOUVER CASING TO ADJUST THE DISPOSITION OF SAID LOUVER MEMBERS RELATIVE TO SAID CASING AND VARY THE DIRECTION IN WHICH SAID LOUVER MEMBERS DIRECT AIR THEREFROM, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID LOUVER CASING FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO AIR STREAM TO PERMIT SAID CASING TO BE SELECTIVELY POSITIONED TO VARY THE DIRECTION IN WHICH SAID CASING DIRECTS AIR, AND MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID CASING IN THE POSITION TO WHICH IT IS MOVED RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORTING MEANS. 